Ramirez won't forget father-in-law

CHICAGO -- There's little doubt that the loss of Federico Poquelin, Alexei Ramirez's father-in-law, affected the White Sox shortstop during the 2013 season. Poquelin was tragically shot to death while Ramirez was in Arizona for Spring Training last year.

Ramirez's priorities immediately shifted to his family after the murder, and understandably stayed there all season. That sort of focus hasn't changed in 2014, as Ramirez plays through the best start of his seven year career with a 13-game hitting streak entering Tuesday.

"The loss of a family member -- and a close and important family member like him -- you never forget it," said Ramirez through translator and director of public relations Lou Hernandez. "But the family is surviving and the family is doing well.

"We try to remember the great moments we had with him, the good moments from his life that we spent together, but you never forget that. That's never out of your mind, losing someone that you love so much."

The case remains unsolved.

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.